‘The Odyssey’s’ Lupita Nyong’o Isn’t the First Black Helen of Troy — Here’s Who Did It First

Lupita Nyong’o has recently spoken about the online backlash she faced after being cast as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming version of “The Odyssey.” Some critics questioned the casting choice, but Nyong’o responded in a calm and direct way.

She explained that the story is based on mythology and should not be treated as something tied to one fixed look or background. She said, “This is a mythological story.” She also supported the vision of the director, adding, “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world.”

Nyong’o also made it clear that she is not focused on defending herself against criticism. She said, “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”

Her comments came after public debate online, including remarks from businessman Elon Musk, who criticized the casting on social media. The discussion became even louder after media personalities on “The View,” including Whoopi Goldberg, pushed back against the criticism and defended Nyong’o’s talent and status as a respected actress.

Goldberg pointed out that the argument being made online did not make sense, especially given Nyong’o’s reputation. She said, “I don’t know if you realize this, Lupita is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. So, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. You don’t actually have to go to the movie.”

Nyong’o also spoke about how she approaches a role like Helen of Troy, a character often described in mythology as the most beautiful woman in Greece. She said she does not focus on trying to “perform beauty” on screen. Instead, she focuses on understanding the character as a person.

She explained, “You can’t perform beauty. I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks?” She added that working with a strong script and director helps her focus on the story rather than outside opinions.

While the current conversation focuses on Nyong’o, historical stage records show she is not the first Black woman to portray Helen of Troy. That earlier milestone is linked to Eartha Kitt, who performed the role in a 1950 stage production in Paris. Her casting came through legendary director Orson Welles, who personally selected her for the role.

At the time, Kitt was already performing in Paris and gaining attention for her stage presence and singing. Her show at the nightclub Carroll’s, a popular venue in the city, helped bring her to wider attention. According to historical accounts, Welles saw her performance and was impressed enough to offer her the role of Helen of Troy in his production, which also included his own interpretation of “Faust.”

Kitt’s performance in Paris was well received and led to a touring version of the production in Frankfurt for American troops stationed in Europe. A review from Stars and Stripes described her impact on the stage, saying, “Eartha Kitt… quite literally steals the show.” The review also noted her strong singing and stage presence, which stood out even in a production that mixed multiple dramatic elements.

Eartha Kitt later became widely known for many other roles beyond this early stage work. She is famous for her role as Catwoman in the 1960s “Batman” television series. She also had success as a singer with songs like “Santa Baby” and built a long career in film, television, and cabaret performance. Her voice, style, and stage energy made her one of the most recognizable performers of her time.

Today, the discussion around Nyong’o shows how modern casting choices often bring renewed attention to older, less remembered performances. While debate continues online, both actresses are now connected through the same legendary role of Helen of Troy, even though their performances come from very different eras and styles of theater and film.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!